Sir, - I am writing to express my disgust and dismay at the Minister for Finance's continued treatment of single-income couples.
I have read some commentary on the Budget today and it appears that my wife and I will pay almost £4,000 more tax next year than a double-income couple with similar combined income.
I find this offensive, unfair and deeply disturbing. Like my double-income peers, I have to fund a substantial mortgage, care for my children and run a household. My children are being nurtured and cared for daily by my wife. They are being gently taught to be loving, caring, responsible and ultimately mature young people, who will hopefully make a valuable contribution to our society in years to come.
In the meantime, my wife and I are being actively discriminated against for having made the choice to look after our own children rather than pass that responsibility on to somebody else. How can this be allowed to happen? How does this recognise Article 41 of our Constitution which says, "the State recognises that by her life within the home, a woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved"?
Not only is my wife not supported by the State for contributing to the "common good", she actually has to pay for the privilege!
Does a contribution to the economy by a working mother rank above the contribution to society by a mother in the home? Are we going to continue to build our economy at the expense of our society? I am at a complete loss to understand how this unequal treatment can be justified.
I await with interest the position of Opposition parties on this issue, as it is probably the overriding factor in my vote at the next election. - Yours, etc.,
Colm Murphy, Lakelands Close, Stillorgan, Co Dublin.